Coinbase CEO: Bitcoin and Ethereum staking could be banned in the US

• Brian Armstrong said that if the SEC bans crypto staking it would be a “terrible path” for the country.
• The Coinbase CEO said that the SEC should refrain from “regulation by enforcement” and rather adopt a constructive approach to crypto regulation.

In an explosive revelation earlier today, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong stated that his company has heard rumors that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is looking to ban crypto staking for all retail investors in the U.S.

Crypto exchange Coinbase offers its users staking facilities for some of the top cryptocurrencies such as Ethereum. They making crypto staking extremely simple so that retail players too can benefit from it. Crypto staking involves the process of earning rewards by locking up coins that help facilitate transactions on different blockchain platforms such as Ethereum. As a result, crypto exchanges like Coinbase and Kraken have started offering the staking facility to diversify revenues.

This is not the first time that the Coinbase CEO has lashed out at the securities regulator. In August 2022, Brian Armstrong warned that the exchange would be shutting down the Ethereum staking facility if threatened by the regulators like the SEC. Also, in his latest tweet thread, the Coinbase CEO noted that if the SEC proceeds with banning crypto staking, it would be a “terrible path” for the U.S. He further added:

Staking is a really important innovation in crypto. It allows users to participate directly in running open crypto networks. Staking brings many positive improvements to the space, including scalability, increased security, and reduced carbon footprints.

1/ We’re hearing rumors that the SEC would like to get rid of crypto staking in the U.S. for retail customers. I hope that’s not the case as I believe it would be a terrible path for the U.S. if that was allowed to happen.

— Brian Armstrong (@brian_armstrong) February 8, 2023

As per the data on Etherscan, Coinbase is currently the second-largest depositor of staked Ether. For anyone to participate in Ethereum staking, they must deposit a total of 32 ETH and take a cut in the rewards. By staking their ETH, users can earn yields up to 6%.

Coinbase vs SEC

Over the last year and so, crypto exchange Coinbase has locked horns with the U.S. SEC over multiple issues. Due to pressure from the securities agency, Coinbase had to withdraw its crypto-lending product.

Ever since the Ethereum blockchain switched to the Proof-of-Stake network last September 2022, the demand for staking services has been on the rise. The rumor that the SEC could be putting an end to this has certainly spooked the crypto community. The Coinbase CEO added that regulation by enforcement is not the right approach. It would rather encourage companies to set up bases outside the United States. Brian Armstrong added:

We need to make sure that new technologies are encouraged to grow in the US, and not stifled by lack of clear rules. When it comes to financial services and web3, it’s a matter of national security that these capabilities be built out in the U.S.

The next phase of Ethereum development involves a Shanghai hardfork scheduled ahead in March 2023. It is important from the viewpoint that it would allow ETH holders to withdraw their staked coins.

Any action of the SEC banning crypto staking could drive away investors from centralized exchanges like Coinbase to other decentralized staking pools.

Crypto exchange Coinbase recently settled a case over allegations of selling unregistered securities in its favor.

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